Free Republic

CRAFT is a 527 committee launched by last year by Schwarzenegger donors Larry Dodge and Paul Folino, and former Gov. Pete Wilson to recruit the "next generation" of statewide Republicans candidates. It is run by former California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim. Moderate GOP pundit Tony Quinn opined at the time that CRAFT's formation "...shows the money people in the party have no faith in the California Republican party. This group would not exist if not for the fact that Republicans can't win statewide elections." Judging by CRAFT's financial disclosure, I'm not sure those involved know how to run a...

Paul Folino, 61, heads a major business, but still finds time to raise funds for colleges and the GOP, and be the governor's confidant. From his mother, Paul Folino learned charity and the rewards of sharing ... That spirit kicked in when, in 2001, Folino's secretary announced — somewhat incredulously — that a guy claiming to be actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was on the phone. Folino took the call. After half an hour, he had ... committed himself to raise $10 million for an initiative to fund after-school programs. The governor said he and Folino bonded over their desire to help...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could find a lot of reasons why the Legislature turned away his public works plan, but Paul Folino wasn't one of them. Folino's participation wasn't happenstance. His informal lobbying is just one example of the close and beneficial relationship Schwarzenegger shares with Folino and the rapidly expanding political action committee he helped establish, the New Majority. Members of the centrist group have donated or raised more than $10 million for the Republican governor's political ventures. And the New Majority is pushing to expand its influence. The group, which has about 250 members and funnels roughly $7.5 million...